HI HB1753

Requires nurses in Hawaii to complete a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education during each two-year license renewal period, beginning with renewals for the biennium starting July 1, 2015.

First-time licensees are exempt from the continuing education requirement for their initial license renewal.

Board of Nursing must adopt rules to establish qualifying subject matter and classes for continuing education, with flexibility to recognize equivalent alternatives as determined by the board.

Licensees must maintain continuing education records, certify compliance under oath at renewal, and may be subject to random audits with 60-day verification requirements.

Board may deny, suspend, or revoke licenses for failure to meet continuing education requirements, with the goal of ensuring nurses maintain current knowledge and skills for patient care and safety.